GREEN ROOFS - THE BASICS...

Thinking about creating a green roof but don't know where to start?

The Green Roof Pocket Guide from Sheffield University is the perfect introduction. Published by The Green Roof Centre this is a handy guide to the basics of green roofs. The Guide covers many of the common issues, from a fundamental description of different types of green roof to component makeup and planting options.

Read more about Green Roofs at The Jolly Green Gardener

NEW ORGANIC GARDEN MULCH

Gardeners and Garden Designers alike all seem to be obsessed by mulch. It is common practice to protect and enrich the soil with Organic mulch (such as leaf mould and compost) but when you are planning a large scale garden project it can be hard to source large enough quantities for the job at hand.

Strulch is a garden mulch made from wheat straw for organic gardening that is set to revolutionise the way environmentally conscious gardeners garden!

Available in the UK from The Organic Gardening Catalogue at £6.99 per 100ml bag (will cover 3 sqm) or in quantity from Garden Boutique for £169.95 for 25 x the larger 150ml bags (will cover 112 sqm)

A patented process is used to ‘preserve’ the straw so that it lasts for up to two years and gives an earthy brown colour. It has been demonstrated to reduce weed growth by 95%, retain moisture around the plants and to enrich the soil and its structure - but most importantly of all, it is PH neutral

Inhibits weed germination and growth by blocking out light.
The mineralisation process inhibits the rate at which the straw breaks down and depending on the application rate and local conditions, can act as an effective barrier to light for up to two years, stopping weeds growing and reducing the need for you to weed.

Reduces the need for watering in dry periods.

Mulching is good gardening practice because it provides a protective covering for the soil. Strulch assists in the retention of soil moisture so that nutrients are more easily absorbed by plant roots and also protect roots from heat stress.

Plants are stronger and healthier as a result and you don't need to spend as much time watering or weeding. What's more your garden can grow beautifully without the need to water whilst your neighbours suffer in the drought!

Enriching Soil Structure
Strulch is biodegradable and will break down over time, adding valuable organic matter and nutrients to enrich your soil, improve drainage and make your plants grow healthily.
It also encourages earthworm activity by acting as a long term food source for surface feeding species, which makes your soil even better.

Eco friendly
Made from renewable, local resources which do not harm the environment - I think Strulch is going to be one of hot products of 2008...

Currently in use at The Eden Project, RHS Harlow Carr, RHS Wisley, Ness Botanic Gardens, The Alnwick Garden

WINDBREAKS AND SHELTERBELTS

Shelterbelts protect your home from the chilling effect of wind so you may need less energy to heat your home and you’ll be able to grow a greater variety of plants.

As a garden designer pondering the effects of gardening in a changing climate, you may be suprised to learn that I fear wind more than drought. Strong winds are unpredictable and often appear without warning causing real - and often irreversable damage to plants.

You can't keep the wind out of your garden entirely - there is no magic solution - but you can slow it down with windbreaks and shelterbelts as well as trapping warm pockets of air through the introduction of Foundation Planting and Climbers.

If you live in an exposed area, check for the direction of the coldest winds and build your shelter belt across that direction. Don't make the common mistake of installing a solid barrier as these will increase the problem by creating eddies on both sides of the fence or barrier. Instead, choose a structure that is at least 50% wind permeable - such as a trellis, series of hedges or a group of trees underplanted with shrubs - and you will create a very effective windbreak.

Make sure that your windbreak is as wide as possible to prevent the wind simply sneaking around the side and increasing in speed and ferocity.

When planting your shelterbelt, try to choose wind tolerant plants and remember to include a good mix of evergreens in with your deciduous specimens.

Some good wind tolerant plants include:

• Escallonia (Evergreen shrub that also makes a good hedge in full sun)
• Olearia (Evergreen shrub with daisy like flowers - also makes a good hedge)
• Tamarisk (deciduous but can withstand strong winds)
• Beech (retains its dead leaves through winter so acts in the same way as an evergreen)
• Prunus serotina (decidous tree - try planting as a multistem)

I would recommend planting small so that the root systems can develop to cope with heavy top growth without staking and to protect your new shelterbelt as it establishes by surrounding it with a temporary mesh or trellis windbreak.

Another good tip is to plant multistem specimens rather than standards as these help filter the wind in the same way as a trellis (if on a smaller scale!)

Close to the house, low planting such as lavender, santolina, box or even low hurdle fencing will have a suprisingly important effect despite its diminutive stature.

As your shelterbelt matures, it will help to:

• Absorb noise
• Protect plants from frost
• Prevent Soil Erosion
• Stop Snow drifts
• Reduce energy costs

You will wonder what you ever did without it!

A shelterbelt can take a number of years to mature - so don't wait until the winds become even more problematic - start taking action today...

HOW YOUR GARDEN CAN HELP YOU CUT DOWN ON HEATING BILLS!

Plants can play a useful insulating effect - conserving heat in the winter. Not only will you save money on your heatings bills but you will also be able to sleep more soundly, safe in the knowledge that you are doing your bit for the environment!

Climbing plants can act as an extra layer of insulation to a building as they trap a thin film of air between the plant and the house.

An even better solution is the implementation of a Living Wall. These are held away from a building by a support system of wires. Not only does this increase the pocket of air (and hence the insulating effect) but it also prevents potential damage to the fabric of the building that can be caused by some clinging plants such as Ivy

Close to the base of the house, Foundation Planting traps warm pockets of dead air between the house and the planting. Where the shrubs are mature, there should ideally be a 30cm gap between the plants and the building.

Green Roofs also play a useful role in the insulating a building. We all know that you can loose up to 75% of your body heat through your head but have you ever thought how much heat is lost through the roof? Although it is now common practice to insulate the loft few people think about the insulating benefits of a Green Roof.

Shelter Belts are another key insulating tool. In small gardens you may have to make do with large shrubs and small trees but where more space is available you can really go to town.

WET POT - FOR ALL YOU LAZY GARDENERS OUT THERE

The Wet Pot is my saviour. Your plants will be able to take care of themselves with these great self watering pots.

The WET POT uses capillary action to ensure your plant receives all the water it requires. Clay naturally regulates water absorption - and so the plant can draw all the water it requires THROUGH the pot.

To use, simply down the clay pot in water for a day before planting up with the plant of your choice. Ensure the top of the plant is level with the brim of the pot and that soil is packed tight around the plant. Then all you need to do is pour water through the watering hole until the glass cylinder is 1 inch below the rim - and relax

As long as water remains in the outer glass cylinder, your plant will be able to draw on these water reserves without becoming oversaturated! Clever huh?